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side of a blazing hearth fire, and promising supper board.

bread,' said the Bailie, this is a hapless tumble; I feel the smell of as good brandy punch as ever reeked aneath the nose of the town council— there it runs; water, saith the word, cannot be gathered from the ground,

It was now eleven o'clock the reign of the old year was within an hour of its close, and the din of the street had subsided, partly from the lateness of the hour, and the fall of a shower of nor brandy punch from the street, • Peace, thin and powdery snow which abated saith Bailie Burnewin.'

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a little the darkness of the night. A peace, I pray thee,' said the elder; loud scream, and the sound of some- Speak, Thomas Treddle, speak; thing falling, were heard at the end art thou harmed in spirit, or hurt in of the little narrow close or street, body?' The spirit is running from which descended from the old Kirk- him,' said the son of the forge, in the gate to the residence of the elder. true spirit of citizenship: dost thou There's the sound of Deacon Tred-not feel its fragrance?' Peace, again dle's voice,' said Marion, if ever II say,' enjoined the elder; I say unto heard it in my life; and the cry too you, something fearful hath happened of sore affliction.' Away without unto him; he has felt an evil touch, bonnet or mantle ran the old friends or he has seen scme unholy sight; of the expected deacon; they found such things have been rife ere now in him lying with his face to the pave- the land; and he endeavoured to ment, his hands clutched like one in raise his prostrate friend from the agony, while from a shattered punch- pavement.

bowl ran the rich and reeking contents. As I live by drink, and sometimes

POETRY.

To be continued.

For daring to assume the name of Poet;

SUFFICIENT REASONS FOR WRITING NO And I believe the good folks all were right,

MORE POETRY,

By a disappointed Author,

Addressed to the Muse, and all concerned therein.

No, Madam, no, 1 pr'ythee do keep off,
I'm tir'd of rhyming-none on earth need wonder,
When I'm oblig'd to bear the sneer and scoff
Of every critic who is pleas'd to blunder.
Thus I thy curs'd, inspiring mantle doff;
'Tis thread-bare quite; I'd rather live on plunder,
Or beggar turn-or be slave to Jack Ketch,
Or aught than such a miserable wretch...

As I have been-My business I've mistaken;
For though my rhymes are tolerably good,
They ne'er have fill'd my guts with beef or bacon,
And one gets tir'd of vegetable food..
No Egg or Butter e'er is seen my cake on,
And light-food some say, aquacous makes the blood;
Though water-gruel good is for the sick,
Hunger and health still something like that's thi k
Bear witness for me-now my thread-bare coat;
My lantern jaws; sunk eyes, and haggard mien:
How enviable is a poet's lot!

And you my linen, seldom over clean;
And ye my Patrons, be not unforgot;

The Public too-all who my works have seen,
If I have not done much while courting farae,
Though every body faid I was to blame,

Though at the time, I really did not know it,"
And verily believ'd, 'twas only spite

Or envy made them speak-my works will show it,
I mean those works that never saw the light,
They're better far, than those that are in print,
And this I'll prove, or else the devil's in't.
That's neither here nor there-I'll rhyme no more,
Why people should be subject to the bore
As rhyming very seldom shows a reason,
Of list'ning while 'tis read. There is a season
For doing all things'-this was known before;
Or I, as well as many another Bard,
But plagiarism is not held up as treason,
Would not have stary'd for want of due reward.
I've seen my folly-I repent it too.
Starvation, nakedness, and scorn, and shame,
I will no more endure, though it were true
That suffering would immortalize my name;
The present moment henceforth 1'll pursue.
"Tis said the muse will set the soul on flame;
This may be true; but either wine or toddy
Has double power-it heats both soul and body.
I've written sonnets oft to please the ladies,
But most of people think them wretched stuff;
Such paltry writing certain to degrade is,
Whether one writes to Delia's nose or snuff,
In fact, it does not matter what the maid is,
For judges say, that Petrarch wrote enough
Of those same kind of rhymes-don't think I'm
steering

At lovers who are fond of sonnetterling

And I have written satire-what of that?
"Twas without point-so every body said;
'Twas like stale beer, and that we know is fiat.
I've written epitaphs upon the dead-

And living too. I've written-Lord knows what?
I've ransacked every cranny in my head

For some new thought, in vain. Gall says, a skull
Bump-ed like mine proves the possessor dull,

I've written Epics, Lyrics, and Addresses,
Eulogies, Elegies, and once a Play,
Anacreontics of a quite new species,
Heroics, Comic Songs abundantly,
I studied most assiduously the Graces,
Who never would the least attention pay:
I sought over description, hill, and dale,
But every thing I tried was sure to fail.

I've sung for Publications, periodical,
For Pamphlets, Newspapers-but never hire
I got such treatment very odd I call;
No soul on earth disposed seemed to admire.
Beside I did attempt what a New Mode I call;
And this too fail'd-crest-fallen I retire;
And who need wonder if I be uncivil,
And wish the Muses dining with-the Devil.

For I to dine with them no more am bent;
"Twere worse than madness, witness O! my bones,
That seem inclined to quit their tenement;
No wouder they are peeping forth, like stones
In gravel-walk; but all this to prevent,
And not to plague the world with sighs and groans,
I am determined to write nought but prose,
Rhyming is not my forte-away it goes.

Postscript. I've written Story, and Lampoon;
Paraphrase and Traustation I have made;
I've written riddles that would take a moon
Them to unriddle; and at a charade
None could be more obscuro; but out of tune
And temper by neglect, I leave the trade
Open for him who'll try; for O! I'm shock'd.
'Tis like the muslin market overstock'd.

MATTHEW MISSIT.

Where two are every moment driven asunder :
Some clown perchance, before again you meet,
With head turned round to some shop-window
wonder,

Shoulders you down, and then grins at the ill-bred
blunder;

And dirty porters running here and there,
And beggars too, and bakers, and a host
Of inconvenient objects, every where
Beset the luckless lounger to his cost.
The gentleman is altogether lost
Among a crew so vulgar and so humbling.

And then the noise outroars the ocean coast;
Coal carts and carriages together jumbling,
Would rend the devil's ears with their confounded
rumbling.

Tom-Yet something may be learned from such a

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Glasgow.

MID-DAY IN THE TRONGATE

TOM Soliloquizing.

There are, that love companionless to stroll
In lonely paths, pursuing fancy's dreams,
Or, when the sun is bright and warm, to loll
Upon the verdant banks of limpid streams.
For me I'll follow no such idle whims,
My fancy is to cultivate the graces;

And so I seek the town-the scene that teems
With gazing crowds, and haunt all modish places,
Where I may best be seen, and best see others faces.

Dick-Tom, what d'ye mutter? Tom-Dick, pshaw,
what the deuce!

You've got into your meditative vein ;
See, here's a mirror-deck thee neat and spruce;
Brush up thy head of hair, and seize thy cane,
And let us to the pavement once again;
The sun is up, and all the world's parading
Along the glorious Trongate. Street and lane
Send forth their multitudes a-promenading,
And many a maid is there-young, blooming, ripe,
and fading.

Dick-Is not this market day? I think it is;

And therefore, with your leave, I'll keep my seat:
For, just to look upon a girlish phiz,

I care not to be elbowed, thrust, and beat,
From side to side along a crowded street,

SONNET.

TO J Y

'Tis vain to weep-the tears of sorrow flow;
But flow, alas! in vain, o'er the seared bloom
Of opening joy, when hope is sunk in gloom,
And all is dark and dead, no more to glow
With life and beauty. Pangs of heartfelt woe

Are softened not by tears, when the last doom
Of death hath sealed our hope, and on the tomb
They trickle unwiped-unheeded. When low,
The blighted hopes of love are laid, and o'er
Our soul broods absence loneliness; nor tears,
Nor sighs, again can to our heart restore
Its wonted buoyancy---our grief but sears
Our hearts;-'tis thus, alas! when now no more
My Jessie's love my soul illumes and cheers.

October, 26th.

REBUS-Answer requir`d.

C. W. A.

Take a Sd of a man, let him be great or small
The 6th of an insect, that only can crawl;
Take the Sd of a lip, and the 4th of a hand; we
A 6th part of noses; a 4th part of grand:
When all these nam'd parts you can make in rhyme
jingle,

Take the 6th of an Adjective, namely of single;
Set them all in rotation, just one after one,
And tell me their names, and a work when all's done
SIMON SLY.

1

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VARIETIES.

what a fool you make of yourself? What use will it be to you, as you don't know how it is to be dressed?'

THE LATE LORD VISCOUNT SACKVILLE. This nobleman was not more distinguished for his abilities, than for his amiable disposition. Of this, his domestics felt the com- SCOTCH AND IRISH OFFICERS.-As two fort, living with him rather as humble military officers of the sister countries of friends, than as menial servants. His lord-Ireland and Scotland, were passing along ship one day entering his house, in Pall Piccadilly, their attention was arrested by Mall, observed a large basket of vegetables a pretty girl at work with her needle, bestanding in the hall, and inquired of the hinder the counter of a Magazine der porter to whom they belonged, and from Modes. The Hibernian instantly proposed whence they came? Old John imme- to go into the shop, and purchase some diately replied, They are our's, my lord, trifle, by way of excuse, for obtaining a from our country-house.'- Very well,' nearer inspection of the fair damselrejoined the peer. At that instant a car- 'Hoot awa' man,' said the equally curious, riagestopped at the door, and Lord George, but more economical Scot, there's nae turning round, asked what coach it was, occasion to throw awa siller; let's gang 'Our's' said honest John. and are the in, and ask change o' twa sixpences for s children in it our's too?' said his lordship sbilling.' laughing. Most certainly, my lord,' replied John, with the utmost gravity, and immediately ran to lift them out.

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ANswers given to the following Conundrums will oblige

PAUL PUZZLE.

Why is a washerwoman like a church bell?

Why are two large rivers in Scotland like man and wife? with the names of the rivers.

Why is Lemon juice like a good saying?

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NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We are sorry that we cannot admit W. M's lines.

We thank W. H. for his lines on Yarrow, but the original song is so much superior, that we are afraid,

comparison might be made to the injury of our correspondent.

After consulting with our friends, we are sorry the Effects of Society cannot be admitted.

Our Irvine correspondent, D. D. in our next.

We thank A. W for his support, he will find his MSS. when He calls.

Our Paisley friend A D. will soon have a place.

The packet of Titus is too heavy and inaccurate. We would not give offence, but must be impartish
D. is under consideration.

We thank S. M. R. and wish he would call at the office.

Montana in our next.

The Irsh Cabih wants interest.

Want of room alone prevented the poetry of Amicus from finding a place; he will be attended to in

our next.

Best respects to J. Ogle. We will gratify the puble with a peep next number.

Our Distressed Friend is so tedious, that we cannot sympathise with him.
No. 2.---Rambles in Cumberland in our next.

Printed, published and sold, every Wednesday, by GEORGE PURVIS & Co. Successors to. W. Tait, Lyceum Court, Nelson Street, where communications, post paid, may be addressed to the Editor. Sold also by Mr. Griffin, Public Library, Hutcheson Street; at the Shops of the Principal Booksellers, Glasgow. Also of the following Booksellers: John Hislop, Greenock; John Dick, Ayr; Thomas Dick, Paisley; Robert Mathie, Kilmarnock; Malcolm Currie, Port-Glasgow; D. Conde, Rothesay; James Thomson, Hamilton; and M. Dick, Irvine; for ready money only.

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GIBRALTAR.

PRICE 31d.

mole, which, in five or six hours, drove the enemy from their guns in every quarter, but more completely from the New Mole head. Captain Whitaker, with the armed boats, was ordered to possess himself of that post; but Captains Hicks and Jumper, who lay with their ships nearest the mole, eager to share in every part of the glory, pushed ashore in their barges, before the other boats could come up. On their landing, the Spaniards sprung a mine upon them, which blew up the

The very name of Gibraltar revives, in the bosom of every Briton, the spark of military ardour. It is justly considered as the brightest jewel of the British crown, which no boon, however splendid and valuable, could induce the nation ingloriously to barter. The importance of this fortress, which is considered by Europe as the key to the Mediterranean sea, does not seem to have been duly estimated by the Spaniards until they lost it; not even by fortifications, killed two lieutenants and the English, who became masters of forty men, and wounded sixty. The it more through accident than design. assailants, however, kept possession of Sir George Rooke had, in the year the work, and, being joined by Captain 1704, been sent into the Mediterra- Whitaker, boldly advanced, and took nean with a strong fleet, to assist a small bastion, half way betwixt the Charles, Archduke of Austria; but mole and the town. was so limited by instructions, as to be umable to effect any enterprise of importance. Unwilling to return to England with a powerful squadron without having achieved something, he called a council of war, and it was determined to attack Gibraltar.

On the 21st of July, 1704, the fleet reached the bay, and 1800 men, English and Dutch, commanded by the Prince of Hesse d'Armstadt, were immediately landed on the isthmus. On the 23d, the ships commenced a brisk cannonade on the new

The Marquis

de Salines, who was governor, being again summoned, thought proper to surrender; and the British colours, for the first time, waved over the rock of Gibraltar.

No sooner were the Spaniards acquainted with the loss of this important fortress, than they made every effort to regain it. Foiled in several attempts, they formed the extravagant and desperate scheme of surprising the garrison, although a British, admiral was then before the town. On the 31st of October, five hundred volun→

teers took the sacrament, never to re-ed; but being wounded also, he could turn till they had planted the Spanish not be got off before the flames had flag on the battlements of Gibraltar. reached him. The works thus deThis forlorn hope was conducted by stroyed, cost the Spaniards the enor a goatherd, to the south side of the mous sum of thirteen millions of large rock, near the Cave guard. They piastres, equal to three millions stermounted the rock, and during the first ling. night, lodged themselves unperceived in St. Michael's cave. On the sacceeding night they scaled Charles the Fifth's wall, and surprised and massacred the guard at Middle Hill. By the assistance of ropes and ladders, they got up several hundreds of the party appointed to support them; but, being by this operation discovered, a strong detachment of grenadiers marched up from the town, and attacked them with such spirit, that one hundred and sixty of them were killed, or forced over the precipice; and a colonel and thirty officers, with the remainder, taken prisoners.

The Spanish monarch, mortified at the disgrace brought on his arms, and the great loss that he had sustained by this sortie, publicly declared his determination to have Gibraltar at all events, cost what it would. It was now determined to make the grand attack by sea and land, which had been so long projected; and the command of this mighty enterprise was given to the Duke de Crillon. From the arrival of this commandant, the most active preparations were made in constructing batteries, which, however, were frequently destroyed by the gar rison. The whole force of the allied Since that period, several attacks crowns seemed to have been centrated have been made on Gibraltar, with in this spot, and such a naval and no better success; but the greatest military spectacle is scarcely to be of all was the memorable siege of equalled in the annals of war. Their 1781-2, when France and Spain naval force consisted of forty-four brought before it the most tremendous large ships of the line, three inferior force ever employed in any modern two deckers, ten battering ships, five siege. General Elliot, whose name bomb-ketches, a great number of gun has been immortalized and identified and mortar boats, and large floating with the event, was at this time gover- battery, many armed vessels, and nor of Gibraltar, with a garrison of nearly three hundred boats. The near 6000 men, The Spanish army, land batteries were furnished with two consisting of 14,000, was encamped hundred and forty-six pieces of cannon, within a mile and a half of the gates, mortars, and howitzers; and the comand had constructed the most exten- bined army now amounted to forty sive works. These General Elliot thousand. determined, if possible, to destroy; On the 13th of September, the and accordingly, on the night of the grand attack was made by sea, and 27th of November, a sortie was made met by the garrison by a brisk fire of from the garrison, the enemy surprised, red-hot balls. After a few hours, the and their works set on fire, and blown admiral's ship was observed to smoke, up. All this was effected in less than and eight more of the ships took fire two hours, and with the loss of one in succession. Several of the batterman only, who being the first to mounting ships exploded in the course of a battery, encountered the Spanish the following day; the remaining captain of artillery, whom he wound- eight ships also blew up with terrible.

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